Students, City Officials Arrive at Campus on Foot in Celebration of ‘Walk To School Day’

By BRANDON VILLALOVOS

5:51 am | October 5, 2017

Dozens of Washington Elementary STEM Magnet School students, parents and community leaders walked the sidewalks of Pasadena to the front steps of the campus Wednesday to draw attention to “Walk to School Day,” an initiative that promotes both health and safety for the city’s youth.

The students trekked through neighborhood streets accompanied by the likes of the City Manager and Police Chief during a morning of fun festivities aimed at educating Pasadena children on safety and the benefits of staying active.

“Physical activity is an important part of your overall health and something as simple as walking to school is a great way to stay active at an early age,” said Pasadena Police Chief Phillip Sanchez to a crowd of excited students.

“Walk to School Day” is a nation-wide initiative with a purpose to give visibility to the importance of safer and improved streets, healthier habits, and less traffic, according to the National Center for Safe Routes to School.

The group of youngsters were guided by a Pasadena Police motorcade and accompanied by parents on their neighborhood trek which began at La Pintoresca Park and traveled a couple blocks up and over until the morning strollers arrived at the school’s campus at Raymond Ave.

Students were greeted with high-fives from school staff and Pasadena Police officers and were treated with a healthy grab-and-go breakfast to help fuel their day.

“The city is staying true to our commitment in keeping the kids of Pasadena healthy and to see everyone so excited about getting outside and moving is a great thing,” said City Manager Steve Mermell.

Students were also accompanied by various city and school personnel to encourage and highlight the fun that comes with creating healthy habits.

According to walkscore.com, Pasadena scored a 66 walk score and a 72 bike score.

A resource fair was set up on campus to give the students a complimentary and healthy breakfast to start their day and District 1 Councilmember Tyron Hampton led students in a brief school-wide exercise session that included jumping jacks and squats.